Mark 6:50for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
Friday, February 28, 2014
Here is another red letter post. When we are terrified, this is the answer.
Mark 6:50for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Ever done something really stupid to save face in front of people you are trying to impress? It is not a good idea.
Mark 6:25-26
Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”
And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her.
Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Here's another red letter assertion. Are you well?
Mark 5:34
And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”
And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”Tuesday, February 25, 2014
A crazy man was made sane. He wanted to go with Jesus with all his heart, but below was the red letter instruction to him AND to all of us.
Mark 5:19However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.”
Monday, February 24, 2014
This is a red letter question. We should ask ourselves this all thetime.
Mark 4:40
But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”
Bible Gateway link (NKJV)
But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”Bible Gateway link (NKJV)
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Redemption! The theme of all the stories of our lives. Let us all look for level ground.
Psalm 26:11-12
But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity;
redeem me, and be gracious to me.
My foot stands on level ground;
in the great assembly I will bless the Lord.
But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity;redeem me, and be gracious to me.
My foot stands on level ground;
in the great assembly I will bless the Lord.
Friday, February 21, 2014
I love bald men! The Bible can sometimes be hilarious. In the midst of long passages about skin disease and who is clean and unclean plus endless laws about what to do about it, there is the below statement of fact. I am sorry, it is just funny.
Leviticus 13:40-41
“As for the man whose hair has fallen from his head, he is bald, but he is clean.
He whose hair has fallen from his forehead, he is bald on the forehead, but he is clean.
“As for the man whose hair has fallen from his head, he is bald, but he is clean.He whose hair has fallen from his forehead, he is bald on the forehead, but he is clean.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
"For this purpose I have come forth." He is so certain what his job is on earth. Wouldn't it be great to be so sure? Perhaps the answer is praying in a quiet place when all the distractions of the world are looking for us.
Mark 1:35-38
Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.
And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him.
When they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.”
But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.”
And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him.
When they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.”
But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.”
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
John was kind of a weird guy, but the guy wearing the sandals was beyond imagining, the Holy Spirit even more so. The closer I get to God through his word and the more often I experience the Holy Spirit the more I understand John's humility.
Mark 1:6-8
Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey.
And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.
I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Monday, February 17, 2014
I don't think we even start out with clean hands and a pure heart, but God has graciously given us a way to forgiveness. Be true to yourselves and others, that blessing from the Lord is priceless.
Psalm 24:3-5
Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false
and does not swear deceitfully.
He will receive blessing from the Lord
and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false
and does not swear deceitfully.
He will receive blessing from the Lord
and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
No matter how many times I read this Psalm it always moves me. All I know is that in the times we live, we need our souls restored often. We have a generous God.
Psalm 23:1-6
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death;
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of The Lord forever
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death;
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of The Lord forever
Saturday, February 15, 2014
I have a hard time listening, just ask my husband. I am forever interpreting before I actually hear. My dear friend Ken, listen to this Proverb: "whoever finds me finds life." You have. There's no need for interpretation, it is just true.
Proverbs 8:32-36
“And now, O sons, listen to me:
blessed are those who keep my ways.
Hear instruction and be wise,
and do not neglect it.
Blessed is the one who listens to me,
watching daily at my gates,
waiting beside my doors.
For whoever finds me finds life
and obtains favor from the Lord,
but he who fails to find me injures himself;
all who hate me love death.”
“And now, O sons, listen to me:
blessed are those who keep my ways.
Hear instruction and be wise,
and do not neglect it.
Blessed is the one who listens to me,watching daily at my gates,
waiting beside my doors.
For whoever finds me finds life
and obtains favor from the Lord,
but he who fails to find me injures himself;
all who hate me love death.”
Friday, February 14, 2014
It all came true. Both of these verses were in today's Bible readings. Generations later the Psalmist's words became reality. The exact parallels in the Old and New Testament always intrigue me.
Psalm 22:16-18
For dogs encompass me;
a company of evildoers encircles me;
they have pierced my hands and feet—
I can count all my bones—
they stare and gloat over me;
they divide my garments among them,
and for my clothing they cast lots.
For dogs encompass me;
a company of evildoers encircles me;
they have pierced my hands and feet—
I can count all my bones—they stare and gloat over me;
they divide my garments among them,
and for my clothing they cast lots.
Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said,
And he said, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
I try not to bring politics to these posts, but doesn't this appear to be a perspective on preemptive war and strong national security policies? Sometimes ancient wisdom is most current.
Psalm 21:8-12
Your hand will find out all your enemies;
your right hand will find out those who hate you.
You will make them as a blazing oven when
you appear.
The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath,
and fire will consume them.
You will destroy their descendants from the earth,
and their offspring from among the children of man.
Though they plan evil against you,
though they devise mischief, they will not succeed.
For you will put them to flight;
you will aim at their faces with your bows.
Your hand will find out all your enemies;
your right hand will find out those who hate you.
You will make them as a blazing oven when
you appear.
The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath,
and fire will consume them.
You will destroy their descendants from the earth,and their offspring from among the children of man.
Though they plan evil against you,
though they devise mischief, they will not succeed.
For you will put them to flight;
you will aim at their faces with your bows.
Monday, February 10, 2014
This is our inarticulate Moses, convincing God not to destroy His people. "And the Lord relented". I don't know, but perhaps prayer works that way.
Exodus 32:7-14
And the Lord said to Moses, “Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves.
They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a
golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!’”
And the Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people.
Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you.”
But Moses implored the Lord his God and said, “O Lord, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?
Why should the Egyptians say, ‘With evil intent did he bring them out, to kill them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from your burning anger and relent from this disaster against your people.
Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your offspring, and they shall inherit it forever.’”
And the Lord relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people.
And the Lord said to Moses, “Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves.
They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a
And the Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people.
Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you.”
But Moses implored the Lord his God and said, “O Lord, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?
Why should the Egyptians say, ‘With evil intent did he bring them out, to kill them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from your burning anger and relent from this disaster against your people.
Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your offspring, and they shall inherit it forever.’”
And the Lord relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
That's what I want, the saving might of the Lord's right hand.
Psalm 20:6-9
Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed;
he will answer him from his holy heaven
with the saving might of his right hand.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
They collapse and fall,
but we rise and stand upright.
O Lord, save the king!
May he answer us when we call.
Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed;
he will answer him from his holy heaven
with the saving might of his right hand.
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
They collapse and fall,
but we rise and stand upright.
O Lord, save the king!
May he answer us when we call.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
This is why I keep urging you to listen to the man with the red letters!
Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.Friday, February 7, 2014
The proof is in the pudding; the facts on the ground, not commentary or speculation. The man with the red words tells us all we ever need to know about what is to come.
Matthew 24:25-28
See, I have told you beforehand.
So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.
For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.
See, I have told you beforehand.
So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.
Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
If you overlay these instructions on to 21st Century issues you will find God's wisdom guiding you in your actions big and small.
Exodus 23:1-5
“You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness.
You shall not fall in with the many to do evil, nor shall you bear witness in a lawsuit, siding with the many, so as to pervert justice,
nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his lawsuit.
“If you meet your enemy's ox or his donkey going astray, you shall bring it back to him.
If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying down under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it; you shall rescue it with him.
“You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness.
You shall not fall in with the many to do evil, nor shall you bear witness in a lawsuit, siding with the many, so as to pervert justice,
nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his lawsuit.
If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying down under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it; you shall rescue it with him.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
It stunned me when I first read the bible through how the basis of our legal system is so consistent with these judgments set out in Exodus. Do many people remember the beginning of this famous verse starts with "a woman with child."
Exodus 21:22-25
“If men fight, and hurt a woman with child, so that she gives birth prematurely, yet no harm follows, he shall surely be punished accordingly as the woman’s husband imposes on him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.
But if any harm follows, then you shall give life for life,
eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.
But if any harm follows, then you shall give life for life,
eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Take a full minute to think about this. Every moral tenet you can think of is covered by what Jesus said here. "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."
Matthew 22:35-40
Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying,
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying,
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
This is the first and great commandment.And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Monday, February 3, 2014
Do I really think I can operate without His help? No way. On my own I would be slipping and sliding into the abyss.
Psalm 18:35-36
You have also given me the shield of Your salvation;
Your right hand has held me up,
Your gentleness has made me great.
You enlarged my path under me,
So my feet did not slip.
You have also given me the shield of Your salvation;
Your right hand has held me up,
Your gentleness has made me great.You enlarged my path under me,
So my feet did not slip.
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Are you on the right path? Whenever I am guided to a decision, everything just falls into place. Similar to the Red Sea opening for the Jews only in a very very small way. When I try to do it my way, obstacles show up like crazy.
Exodus 15:12-13
You stretched out your right hand;
the earth swallowed them.
“You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed;
you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode.
You stretched out your right hand;
the earth swallowed them.
 |
| Arnold Friberg painting |
you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode.
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